Cassandra's Arrest [log]

[Aric Demarais]

[ARIC] He didn't know what time it was when he had finally awoken, nor did he know how long he had slept for. Aric was still exhausted, so it clearly hadn't been enough time...but now that he was awake, there was no going back to sleep. Not when the inevitable was hanging over his head. He had to tell his family about his brother, and he was dreading it. Gazing down to Alexandria, he wanted to let her sleep a little longer. He wanted to keep her out of this, but had a feeling that wouldn't be the best of ideas. So, while she slept a little more, be quietly tiptoed around, dressing himself so he wasn't wearing the same clothes he had been wearing all day yesterday, and he quietly requested some food and for one of Alexandria's ladies to bring her some clothing. He wasn't letting the queen go back to that room any time soon. She didn't need to be triggered. He also, with hesitation, asked for a messenger be sent to both his cousin and the Tresterian queen to meet him in the council hall in a half hour's time. Aric also asked for Orin, because he would be able to explain what had happened. "Thank you," he whispered to the guards before closing the door quietly and continued to button up his shirt.

[ALEXANDRIA] Perhaps Aric was exhausted because Alexandria had woken several more times with her nightmares, which probably woke Aric, too. But as morning came, she had slept soundly for a couple hours without waking. Aric's shuffling around, the quiet voices and the door shutting was enough to wake her slightly, but she stayed there, laying down with her eyes closed, listening to Aric. She was dreading the day and maybe if she kept her eyes closed, it wouldn't happen.

[ARIC] He would feel even more guilty for waking her if he knew how much she was dreading it. Granted, he did know, because it was the same dread that was making his fingers shake, and with an injured hand, it was already so difficult to do the simplest of things. Unaware that she was actually awake, he stopped with the damned buttons and slumped into one of the chairs, his hand running down his face in frustration and disbelief. He thought he might cry with how overwhelming this all was, that he had to deliver this news...but he didn't. It was as though he didn't have the energy. Still, the pain of this realization was eating away at him, and he just prayed he could get through this morning. That there would be no more issues, that his sister-in-law would not wish to somehow retaliate. That was such a foolish thought, but it was plaguing him nonetheless.

[ALEXANDRIA] It was almost as if she could sense and feel that frustration radiating off of him, and she knew and understood all of the reasons why. So when he slumped into that chair, she finally opened her eyes slowly and looked over at him. She did not say anything right away, but simply watched him, seeing that he was on the verge of tears. She stretched her arm out as if she were trying to wake up and get her body to move, and she rolled slightly so she was on her side and facing him. The faintest of a smile touched her lips, trying to push away yesterday and give him some kind of reassurance. "Are you alright?" She asked him quietly, though she already knew the answer.

[ARIC] Head leaned into his hand as he tried to calm his already frayed nerves, hearing her begin to stir before glancing over to her when she spoke. Aric simply shook his head slowly, face contorted into worry. "I don't know how I'm going to do this..." What was worse, he should be mourning Edward, but only found a part of him could. That younger part of him, remembering the good times before his brother had become king, before the crown corrupted him. "I have to meet them shortly to tell them, and...I just-" He shrugged, not knowing what else to say.

[ALEXANDRIA] Hearing him say that he didn't know how he was going to get through the day, made Alexandria quickly sit up and push herself out of the bed. He had been her rock for so long, so to see him crumbling and admit he was struggling, it broke her heart. Her bare feet moved her across the room and over to where he sat. She crouched down in front of him and took his good hand into hers, kissing it gently. "You're going to do this with me by your side... I won't let you fall." She looked up at him, searching for his eyes and to get him to look at her. She wasn't sure if she really should be there when Eleesa was told about her husband. But, it would probably seem worse and as if she had no compassion if she wasn't there. "I know, Aric... it will be alright..." She wasn't sure if it would be, but she was trying to be brave now.

[ARIC] He'd faced so much already, faced an incoming enemy with armor and sword, the death of a wife and child...why was he so terrified of this? Because he felt guilty. He felt guilty for not completely breaking down. As Alexandria came over, he held onto her hand tightly, blinking away tears that still refused to fall but at least stung at his eyes. She was comforting him as best she could, while both knew very well it may not be alright. He kissed her forehead. "Thank you," he whispered against her skin with a shaky voice. Then there came a knock at the door. "I have the queen's clothing, Highness," came the gentle voice of one of Alexandria's handmaidens from the other side. Trying to pull himself together, he rose to his feet and took his wife with him. Only leaving her side for a moment, he went to the door to take the dress from the girl with a thank you, as well as some fruit she brought as well. He wouldn't be able to eat just yet, but perhaps Alex could. Shutting the door, he placed the foot upon the table then draped the dress upon the bed. She could dress whenever she was ready. "Perhaps...we could have your things brought here?" he inquired lightly. Aric didn't say why, because it was quite clear. "This room has a better view, anyway..." The faintest of smirks curled his mouth, a gentle attempt at lightening up the mood. He had noticed the view after she had been staring out the window last night, remembering Orin saying how she loved the cliffs. Which explained why their ceremony had been held there.

[ALEXANDRIA] She slowly stood with Aric after there was a knock on the door, and she let go of his hand so he could get the door, smiling slightly as Aric had been thoughtful in having a dress brought to her instead of her having to go back to her room. Sapphire eyes admired him for a moment as he set the food down and set her dress on the bed. When he spoke the suggestion, Alexandria smiled softly and slowly nodded. "I would like that very much. Thank you..." She moved to where he was and snaked slender arms around him tightly. He had seemed to know how her mind worked now. He paid attention to her and it was a different feeling for her--to have someone know and understand without needing to say anything. She sighed quietly and did not let go of him for a while. "I love you," she finally said to him before letting him go.
She had realized that she hadn't eaten anything since breakfast yesterday and her stomach was growling in pain. She moved back over towards the table and grabbed what looked like a peeled orange. Pulling it apart she popped a slice into her mouth and closed her eyes as if savoring the flavor. She was trying so hard not to think about what was outside the door waiting for them.

[ARIC] It might be awhile before they both fully understood each other, but he was trying his best. They would each falter, each mess something up to make it complicated, but that was simply marriage, because no marriage was perfect. It was an impossibility, no matter what the fairy tale books said. What made a marriage and love work, was working through it, even if you had to take a half step backwards in order to step forward a couple again. Aric held her for as long as she needed, because in all honesty, it was helping him calm down. "And I you," he replied, once again placing a kiss to her brow. They wouldn't have much time, though, and there was no time to even delve into what happened last night, but he didn't move until she did. He was glad to see her willingly eat, and maybe once this upcoming drama was over, he'd be able to stomach something. For now, he simply finished dressing, running fingers through his hair because he clearly didn't know what a brush was. His hair was getting a bit too long now, he realized. What a funny thought to have at this moment.

[ALEXANDRIA] She remembered how he had grown frustrated earlier and saw his shirt still unbuttoned, so she set the remaining orange down and moved to him, standing in front of him. She grabbed hold of his shirt and delicate fingers buttoned his shirt up for him. When she finished, she straightened out the collar and brushed the wrinkles out. She placed her hands on his chest and looked up at him. "Do you need help with anything else?" She would gladly help him with anything he'd need.

[ARIC] Holding back a sigh, as it was clear to her that this stupid, simple task was frustrating him. His hand couldn't heal soon enough. At least it had only been fractured and not broken, but that still meant he had to avoid using it as much as possible, lest Seamus smack him upside the head. Something told him the man had wanted to do that on several occasions. Still, he tiredly smiled down to her, a thankfulness in his eyes that they could stand here together like this right now after what had just transpired. But maybe that was what they both needed right now, to move on even if it is for a short time. "Not currently," he answered her softly, taking up one of those small hands. He could subtly taste the citrus from her fingers when he kissed that hand; his own injured one carefully resting against the side of her face. There was so much he could have said in that moment, but he feared leaving his family waiting and wondering, and the risk of them finding out about Edward through gossip. Drawing in a sigh, he kissed that delicate hand once more before gesturing towards her dress. "Will you need help with that?" There would be no danger of wandering hands right now, should she need assistance.

[ALEXANDRIA] She nodded to him and smiled slightly, her eyes watching him as he placed a kiss on her hand. She could see in his eyes that he had things he wanted to say to her in this brief peaceful moment before the storm, but the storm was awaiting them. So, instead of him saying those things, he was motioning to her dress and asking if she'd need help with it. Quietly she stepped over to the bed to see what dress it was, and she sighed quietly because of course it would need to be tied in the back. "I might." She admitted. Pulling Aric's shirt over her head and off, she set it on the bed before reaching for her dress, slipping into the undergarments first and then she stepped into the dress pulling it up her form, slipping her arms in and letting it rest down on her shoulders. She turned to look at Aric, motioning to the laces at her back. "Do you think you can?"

[ARIC] Later. He had to believe that things would be alright later, somehow. If he could not believe that, then they would surely be lost. Aric let her move to the bed to begin dressing herself, and he tried not to let his eyes linger. But they did. Yet the look in his eyes was not carnal, just affectionate, loving, wondering how it were possible that she was still the loveliest thing despite those scars she hated. Despite how neither of them slept well and stress was probably very clear on their faces. When she turned to him, he moved to her side with slight amusement in his eyes, "I'll...try and manage." It proved difficult trying to pull those laces tight, so she might be relieved to realize that they would not be as tight and restricting as if one of her ladies had done it. And it took a few moments longer for him to tie them, but he did his best. "Not sure how you stand to wear these things," he mused quietly.

[CASSANDRA] The Duchess barely slept. Even crying as hard as she had been, it did little to exhaust her enough for rest. She'd thought of leaving to sneak into Orin's room, to seek the only comfort she could find because there was no one else she could go to while her heart ached, being torn in two different directions...but she couldn't risk it. The guards outside her door would know she had been gone for a while and possibly not returned. So she laid in her own bed, her tears long gone and dried, and before she knew it, she was woken by a fitful sleep by a knock on her door. Aric wanted to see her. She was shaking the entire time she got ready, the entire time she left her room to walk towards the meeting hall. He knew, because Orin had gone to tell him last night...and she was deathly afraid. Cassandra couldn't explain it, but it felt like this situation was far from over.

[ELEESA] She'd been up for hours before the messenger arrived at her door. There was something wrong- she could sense it, feel it deep within her bones. Something far worse than what Cassandra had told her last night. Eleesa had tried to act surprised, but there was no point in it anymore, especially not in front of Cassie. The woman knew everything that happened between her and Edward, their broken marriage, and the queen couldn't help but sense something unsettling with the Duchess. There was this dark fire in her eyes when she left, something about the way she said, 'It will be alright'... Leaving the boys with one of her ladies, Eleesa left for the hall, arriving their first and far sooner than everyone else. She was attempting to calm the rapid beating of her heart while honey-brown eyes glanced at the cold landscape outside the window. She couldn't help but notice the strange look servants were giving her, couldn't help but hear them whispering when she passed. What happened?

[ALEXANDRIA] She grinned slightly as Aric tried lacing her dress up. It wasn't tight, which was probably a good thing because it would allow her to breathe a little better today. And she knew she would need to breathe. At Aric's comment she managed to laugh a little and she shook her head, "because it makes me feel like I look nice. What would you recommend I wear instead?" When he finished, she turned to face him, looking into his eyes. She tried to think of something to say to him--something to help. Anything. She wanted to say so much to him right now, but it would all need to wait. She only hoped there would be a later. That they would have a chance together, later.

[ORIN] He received the message from Aric to meet. And he grumbled tiredly as he got ready. The night had finally ended but they were all about to relive it soon. Though he hoped he wouldn't have to be involved with telling the Tresterian queen of her husband's death, he knew it would not be possible because he had been the one to discover the king dead. So he got himself ready and made his way to the council hall. But he would not enter just yet... not wanting to be alone with the Tresterian queen.

[ARIC] "You could wear a potato sack, Alexandria...and you'd look far better than just nice," he told her quickly. "Or, forego the sack altogether..." That comment was murmured without him really thinking, but it was still truth. With a gentle clearing of his throat, he kissed her forehead once more before offering his arm to her. He didn't want to leave that room, just wanted to shut everything out, but knew he couldn't. He had to step out and meet with his family, yet he couldn't do it without her. Alexandria was the only strength he had right now, despite their argument which he was grateful they were able to look past now. "Ready?" he asked, his voice unsteady.

[CASSANDRA] Every step she took closer to that room, the more her stomach churned. She was wrapping an arm around her waist; her other hand pressing against her lips as though she feared she might be sick. For a woman who had made lying a bad habit, she was doing a poor job at acting right now. Cass drew in a long, deep breath, letting it out her nose while she fought to gather what strength she had left, to keep herself from suddenly passing out from fear and guilt. Green eyes lifted to find Orin standing outside the room, and it was clear she tried to smile, tried to calm herself just from the mere sight of him. It helped, but only a little. She said nothing, especially with guards standing so close, and she broke her gaze from his to enter the council hall. "Eleesa?" she said quietly, finding the woman standing by the window. No one else seemed to be there yet.

[ELEESA] Why were her hands shaking? Why couldn't she shake this awful dread at the pit of her stomach? Eleesa was sinking deeper and deeper into her thoughts before a voice called her name and drew her back to the present. Eyes blinked, looking over her shoulder to find Cassandra. Her smile in response was small. "I expect...this is about last evening?" she dared to ask. But when Cassandra shrugged and told her she was not sure, her worry grew.

[ALEXANDRIA] A genuine smile touched her lips at Aric's complement and she laughed, lightly hitting his shoulder playfully at his silly suggestion. Her eyes closed briefly as he kissed her forehead and she sighed, taking his arm. A small shake of her head was given in response to his question. "Not at all." She knew as soon as he opened that door, they would be stepping into hell. But at least they were together. Her grip tightened around Aric's arm nervously. She had to push aside everything from last night and appear unbroken and strong. Though not only was she worried about how Eleesa would take the news of her husband's death, but she was nervous to face her after her husband had chosen her to try and have relations with. It made her stomach tie into knots. And as she and Aric moved down the hall together, Alexandria whispered to him, "We weather any storm... together, right?" She forced a smile, but her heart was pounding and she felt sick to her stomach.

[ORIN] He had requested a message be sent to the other guard who was there with him when they found Edward, as well as the healer who examined his body. When they were showing up, Orin motioned them into the room and quiet followed after them. Glancing around, it looked like they were just waiting for Aric and Alexandria.

[ARIC] He wavered a little on his feet, but with her at his side, he was able to stay upright while they finally left and walked down the corridors of the castle. Each step was difficult, like he had heavy stones attached to his ankle. At her question, he looked down at her with a faint but soft smile, nodding to her, "Right." And this was going to be one hell of a storm. His hand reached for hers and gripped it tightly as they approached the council hall. Eyes nervously looked to Orin before proceeding inside.

[CASSANDRA] She supposed Aric called this meeting to tell everyone at once...but by the looks of it, it was only she and Eleesa who did not know. Green eyes flickered to the healer and the guard, the one she had drugged, rather nervously. And strangely, she felt like he couldn't meet her gaze. She swallowed hard, looking to Aric then but said nothing as she tried to pretend like she had no idea as to what was going on here.

[ELEESA] Those doe eyes turned to the others as they entered. The door was shutting behind them, and she realized that Edward was not among the gathered. Surely he would have been summoned? Everyone else of note was standing in this room now. It was difficult to quell the feverish thoughts, the horrible twisting of knots inside her stomach. "What has happened?" she finally asked, breaking the tension and silence of the room. "This is more...than just what happened last night, isn't it." It was no longer a question, and those eyes were turning to Alexandria was such pain, desperately wishing she could apologize for what her husband had done. It would seem that Eleesa had spent most of her married life doing that.

[ARIC] The moment those eyes looked at him, the moment she asked what was wrong, Aric knew he couldn't waste time or find a way to somehow lessen the blow. "Yes," he breathed, wavering on his feet again. He had to part from Alexandria's side to step to the large table, using it to balance himself on as he leaned. His breaths were suddenly becoming labored as he couldn't seem to find enough air to fill his lungs. He couldn't even look at her or Cassandra. He couldn't look at anyone but the wood of the table in front of him. "Eleesa, I'm-" The tears stung at his eyes again but they still did not fall, even if keeping them at bay made his throat incredibly sore. "I'm sorry. Edward was...found dead in his cell late last night. We've been brought to believe that...he killed himself. With opium."

[CASSANDRA] It was good that Aric could not look at her, because she couldn't bare to look at him. But she could hear it in his voice how much he struggled, heard how he wanted to cry but somehow refused to, like he struggled with mourning such a horrible human being and yet felt like he needed to because he had been his brother. Her shaking hands had to grip the front of her skirt before she turned away when her cousin finally gave the news. She turned away from everyone so that she could mask her fear, her guilt, and the tears she could no longer shed.

[ELEESA] Dead. Edward was...dead. The queen simply stared for a long while, just staring at him as if she hadn't heard him, or that she didn't believe a word of it. But she knew. She knew the moment she had awoken that something was wrong. Perhaps it was the black clouds in the sky, threatening rain. Or perhaps it was this strange relief that felt so wrong to feel. Still, that did not mean she could stop the tears that were streaming from her eyes, covering her quivering mouth as the sobs began to take a hold of her. "Opium?" she managed to say while she broke down, as if it was so strange a thing to hear.

[ALEXANDRIA] She held tightly to Aric's hand as they stepped into the room. Tired, sapphire eyes, swollen from a night full of crying, glanced around the room. Her heart sank as Eleesa asked what had happened, and she tried to calm her shaking hands. Aric was letting go of her to move to the table, and she moved to stand next to him. When he struggled, she placed her hand on his back. And then he came out with it. She could not bear to look at anyone, either. She felt both ashamed by what Edward had tried to do to her, and she felt sad that Eleesa's whole life was about to change. And part of it, was all her fault, she felt. She managed to lift her gaze at the queen's question, her eyes were compassionate and pained, but she frowned seeing the woman sobbing. She didn't know what to say, and she felt awful.

[ORIN] He had moved to the table with the other guard, Charles, and the healer. As Aric spoke, he glanced around the room, eyes falling to Cassandra as she couldn't seem to keep herself together, and he wished he could go to her and tell her to try to calm down. It wasn't easy, he was sure. But if Edward hadn't died last night, they would all be here discussing his fate, which he imagined would end up in death regardless. As the queen questioned the opium, he stepped in and spoke gently. "I found a vial on the cell floor..."
The healer cleared his throat and spoke up. "Was he in any kind of pain that he may have been using it for? Had he been acting strange or differently, lately? Taking too much at once can be lethal...Which is what it appears has happened..." The man frowned and then sighed.

[ARIC] It was difficult to bear the woman's tears. Somehow, even she managed to mourn the husband who had been nothing but cruel to her, flaunting his ways right in front of her where she could do nothing. And he could barely cry for his own brother. Looking to Alexandria, squeezing her hand in silent reassurance, Aric moved to Eleesa's side, there to catch her as she was suddenly collapsing to her knees. His own arms were shaking as he cradled her to him, letting her sob heavily into his shoulder. "I'm so sorry, Eleesa..." he whispered to her. He didn't know what else to say.

[CASSANDRA] One of her hands leaned against the wall, trying to steady herself there with her back still turned to everyone. Deep, quivering breaths were draw in through her nose, desperately trying to keep herself from getting sick. From the corner of her eye, she could see Aric there with Eleesa and her guilt only deepened. The woman's life was certainly going to become difficult...but would it truly be worse than the life she had currently been living? Her heart thundered in her chest, feeling a single tear stream down her cheek when she heard the doors of the council room suddenly open and she was whirling around to find a familiar face. One that shouldn't be here.

[RENAUD] As those doors burst open against the protest of the Aralorian guards who were quick to follow and surround him, they would come to find a substantial amount of Tresterian men along with the chancellor. He looked down that crooked nose from his tall stature, peering at those gathered in their mourning. "Sorry to say that my arrival comes a bit late..." he began, gesturing for his guards to lower their weapons and prove they were of no threat here. "King Edward sent for me a while back, and I'm afraid I arrived too late. Seeing as how he is...dead." He appeared curious over the whole thing, but he kept his tone light if only for the sake of the man's family. That, and Edward had been his king after all.

[ARIC] Son-of-a-bitch. He was surprised Chancellor Renaud hadn't come along with the rest of his family to Aralore, and he had no idea why Edward had requested him. Perhaps his brother had already made plans to break the alliance...to maybe create a new one, as he had begun to do, and would need the support. Helping Eleesa to her feet, he regarded the man with cold eyes, "What are you doing here, Renaud?"

[RENAUD] "I had business with your brother," he answered Aric quickly and matter of factly. "But now that business has changed, clearly." His eyes fell to Eleesa, softening in their coldness. "I am truly sorry, Your Majesty. But do know that I will get to the bottom of this." A pause, a finger pressed to his fingers in thought. "Which brings me to why I've interrupted...this," he added, waving his hands to gesture at them all. "It would seem there is more to this story." Renaud approached Charles then, placing a hand upon the guard's shoulders. "Isn't that right?"

[ELEESA] Those tear-filled eyes had turned towards the queen's brother when he mentioned some vial, followed by the healer's question and she was trying to clear her head. Lips parted to reply to them, maybe even to ask further about it because she was so confused...but the door was opening and she saw Lord Renaud making his way in with the Tresterians. Her knees were shaking, but she stood with Aric's assistance, becoming further confused. "Can this not wait until I've been able to bury my husband?" Her tone was harsh, angry at the audacity of this man. Eleesa had never trusted him, but Edward had always refused to see reason. It would appear, however, that Renaud was speaking about Edward's death. She regarded Aric with panic and confusion.

[ALEXANDRIA] She felt useless as Aric stepped away from her and went to Eleesa's side, trying to console her. Despite everything, Alexandria had started to cry out of guilt and sorrow. She knew all too well what it felt like to be told someone you loved had died. Even if they no longer loved one another, she still imagined it would hurt no less. He was her husband. She stayed silent as the others spoke, her eyes downward as she tried to pull herself together. Her hands were shaking and she couldn't stop thinking about what he had done to her. Though, when the doors opened and the man, they were calling Renaud, spoke, Alexandria was glancing up in worry. Who was this man coming to her kingdom, unannounced? After everything that had just happened with Saelis, how had he gotten in? She said nothing though, and remained silent as the others spoke.

[CHARLES] He was nervous. For his life. His job, and he really wasn't certain what to do. Renaud had questioned him to no end this morning, and he felt confused because everything had been such a blur before Orin had come down to check on the king. So when he felt that hand on his shoulder, he panicked, his eyes glancing to Orin, to the queen, to Aric and then the queen. He was placed on the spot, and now he was being asked to speak. A slow nod as he looked down with a frown. "Yes... I think so... But I am not certain." He scratched the back of his head, sighing. "I..uhh..." He was going to get into trouble for this, he just knew it. But this man, Renaud, scared him. "I fell asleep.... I was not feeling well last night." He closed his eyes and pinched the bridge of his nose, taking a deep breath. "When I woke up... I could have sworn a figure ran by me.. And I caught a faint scent of something... But I thought it was just me feeling groggy and sick." He shrugged his shoulders.

[ORIN] Fuck. He fought the urge to look over at Cassandra, but his heart began racing in his chest. His brows furrowed in confusion and he looked at Charles instead, an angered expression on his face. "Are you kidding me?! The king nearly rapes the queen....and you fucking fell asleep while keeping watch on him in his cell?!" His jaw clenched, and he tried desperately to think of something to help bury this for Cassandra. He shook his head. "If you were not feeling well you should have found someone to cover for you." He growled in anger before he glanced over to this Renaud guy and spoke. "When I went down to check on the king, Charles here looked very ill... Like he was hallucinating and not completely with it..." He looked back at Charles and shook his head like he was disappointed in him.

[RENAUD] He made it into this kingdom and this castle because he had the proper papers, seal, and authority to do so. It just so happens that, after hearing about the long evening Her Majesty had, the chancellor figured that he shouldn't burden her with anything more. So he decided to investigate why his sovereign was suddenly dead. With the scandal that was overrunning the castle, albeit being Edward's fault, it was very suspicious to find that he was...well, dead not long after. "Go on, Charles..." he gently prodded, kindly as though he hadn't questioned him for hours. After the man explained, cold-blue eyes turned to Orin and his sudden outburst. Brows lifted in soft surprise. "Yes...hallucinating. Like he had been drugged, perhaps?" Was that a sudden smirk on his face? Like Orin had unknowingly helped Renaud's case. "You said...it smelled like flowers, and something-" A pause, he gestured with his hand as if trying to remember. But he remembered it all. "Woodsy, yes?" That was directed at Charles, but the man didn't have to answer. He said nothing more as slow steps began to carry him around the room until he paused in front of Cassandra. That smirk remained on his lips as he leaned in just enough to inhale the scent of her neck. "Lavender and...sandalwood, yes?"

[ARIC] He was shaking again, but this time it was in anger. Something didn't feel right with this man being here because he always brought trouble and darkness. Yet, he listened to everything closely, seeing the conflict on the guard's face, and his mind was already slowly putting things together...where the chancellor was going with this. When the man neared his cousin, he stepped forward a few steps. "Do not even think about going there, Renaud. You are reaching too high."

[CASSANDRA] Her stomach dropped immediately when Charles spoke; Orin's voice was but a echo in her ears. She hadn't given the guard enough of the sleeping draft. Had the dose been wrong? She had been worried about accidentally killing him...seeing as how she had never done such a thing before. And it showed, because this son-of-a-bitch was already pinpointing her, as if knowing that she'd be the only one with the gall to do it. Maybe because he would have done it if given the chance. Did he know something else? How did this escalate so quickly? Green eyes glared at him, her lip quivering into a snarl as he pinpointed that scent and she was inwardly cursing. Aric was coming to her defense but she kept those eyes on the chancellor, as if the venom in her glare would make him drop dead right now. It was enough to keep her from shaking, even though she felt like she might be sick. "You're fucking mad..." she whispered.

[ELEESA] This was all too much. The queen's head was spinning from this madness, unable to comprehend any of it. As Renaud was quite obviously about to blame Cassandra, she stopped breathing. The last thing she wanted to do was believe him, but...she was. That didn't mean she was voicing it, that didn't mean she was about to accept any of this. "Chancellor!" she suddenly scolded, her tears still in her eyes. "I understand that it is your duty to know what happened to my husband...but this is not the time." Eleesa was trying to stand tall but she was afraid she was going to break.

[ALEXANDRIA] Her eyes darted around the room, from one person to the next--unsure of what was happening. Were they really trying to put the blame on someone? And Cassandra no less? She held onto the edge of the table, unable to sit. Unable to say anything. This wasn't her battle... She had no idea what had happened after Edward was taken away, because she kept herself hidden in her own darkness, unable to comprehend anything else. When the queen stood up and scolded the man, Alexandria glanced over to her. She wholeheartedly agreed with the woman, but she didn't know if it would be her place to speak here. It was her kingdom they were in, and this had all happened here... But Edward was not her king. And he had harmed her. She was having a really hard time feeling sorry about his death, other than feeling heartbroken for Aric, Cassandra, the queen and her children. Finally, she spoke up. "This is not the time, indeed... Who are you to come into my kingdom, interrogate my guards...and accuse people of killing the king, when you were not here. You did not see any of it." She was raising her voice now, angered that this man had so rudely paraded himself in here, when this was supposed to be a moment for the queen to mourn her husband. "The healer is working to test the body and find out what the cause of death was...We can speak of this after he has found the results."

[ORIN] His chest felt heavy as he watched Renaud approach Cassandra and smell her neck. Fingers curled into fists and he clenched his jaw. He wanted to pound this man into the ground, suddenly, yet he knew nothing about him. But he couldn't say anything because now both queens were scolding this man. Eyes slowly shifted to Cassandra and he watched her quietly, wishing he could make this all go away for her. He had tried his best to cover up whatever tracks he could, and God did she create a lot of work for him last night.

[RENAUD] It was true, he had little to go on, but that was the point of this. Because Renaud was a man that studied others, noticed the minor changes in their stance, noticing their tell when they lied. And he didn't have to touch Cassandra to know that her heart was racing. She was afraid. And the bitch should be. When Eleesa scolded him, he bowed in respect to her. "I understand, Majesty...but you will realize that I have been put into a tight spot. Once the Tresterian council hears of the king's death- and be assured, I have already sent a messenger- the matter of succession will need to be dealt with. Seeing as how your son is the rightful heir and not yet of age, a regent will have to be chosen." A position that he could just as easily fill if the queen did not tread lightly. But, considering the council would want a man to rule as regent, he wasn't too concerned. This was just a precaution, to show he was doing his due diligence. Steel eyes were suddenly turning to Alexandria when she spoke, a new surprise on his features. My, my, this room was just filled with strong-willed women, wasn't it? Renaud stepped closer, bowing deep in front of her. She wasn't his queen, but a queen nonetheless. "It is of strange circumstances that His Majesty has passed. My king. I have been Edward's closest friend and confidant, his advisor, and the man he left in charge when he went away. I have the right to interrogate if I suspect foul play." He rose from that bow, his expression sobering. "And we are allies, are we not? I would suspect that you would want to get to the bottom of this as well?" Despite the idiot king nearly ruining the damned alliance himself. "For the sake of Aralore, of course." He pressed a hand to his heart in a gesture of apology. "But you are right. I apologize for questioning your man...but Her Grace is Tresterian, thus it is my right to question her." Those eyes drifted to Eleesa. "Am I wrong, my queen?"

[ELEESA] Everything he was saying was truth. Everything he said was freezing her in her steps. Although it was her son that would ascend to the throne, there was no saying that she would be able to watch over him, or Tresteria, as regent. Not unless the council agreed. Bloody politics in a society made up of misogynistic fools. If she didn't tread carefully, Renaud could make things far more difficult for her. She swallowed hard, turning her apologetic gaze to Alexandria as Aric was moving to the other queen's side. Eleesa couldn't bear to look at Cassandra, praying this would all somehow work out. "You are not wrong," she said, her voice quiet. Lord forgive her. Despite her world crumbling around her, the chancellor would be hearing from her again.

[ARIC] Fuck. He knew he hated this conniving man. His timing was all too perfect, as if he had known. As if he had planned all of this. He knew the very things that were going through Eleesa's mind right now and why she relented after berating the chancellor just moments ago. The hand at Alexandria's back was shaking while he tried to keep himself together. He was worried, not understanding why Renaud would target Cassandra, and no matter how much he tried to think of how to get her out of it...he was blanking. His eyes lifted to his cousin, noticing a different kind of fear in her own green gaze, glinting with tears. Why did this bad feeling suddenly worsen? Why couldn't he think of a way out of this? He felt like he was failing her, like he felt he had been failing everyone else he loved.

[ALEXANDRIA] Sapphire eyes narrowed at the man as he spoke to her. "Of course I would want to get to the bottom of this. But Orin, head of my guard, has found or shown no suspicion of foul play." Her brows furrowed, eyes glancing over to Orin before back to Renaud. Aric was back at her side and she felt his shaky hand on her back. She straightened and spoke again, her tone a bit calmer. "As I said... This is not the time. Show your queen some respect and allow her to mourn the death of her husband. We can meet about this after the healer has discovered the cause of death." She placed her hands on her hips and gave the man a look as if daring him to try and press further.

[RENAUD] Hm, this queen really wasn't understanding, was she? "Ah, yes...your brother, isn't it?" The chancellor idly glanced over to Orin as if insinuating that he couldn't trust that. Considering, if Alexandria had somehow been a part of this, why wouldn't her brother be as well? But he didn't say anything further. "I am showing my queen respect, Majesty, by further investigating this matter. Your healer will find whatever he finds, but my duty cannot be delayed." He was, after all, the voice of the Tresterian council at this current moment. And Alexandria's husband knew it, which was why he was currently biting his tongue, he imagined. "I am not stopping you," he added, his hands held outward as though to show he had nothing up his sleeves. "But you may not wish to stop a Tresterian investigation." Again, the Duchess was not Aralorian and had no ties to this land. It was within his right, and the queen could argue that until she was blue in the face. But, considering she was still trying to, the fingers of that one hand snapped loudly in a gesture to prove his point. The Tresterian guards moved. "Please escort Her Grace from this room so we can handle this matter promptly." Those steely eyes flickered between Aric and Alexandria, bowing once more in respect. "I'm sure she will be returned to you shortly and that your healer can verify things. Until then." A deep bow to Eleesa because he wasn't without disrespect, he turned to leave the room.

[CASSANDRA] Those tear-filled eyes were staring into nothing. She heard them all speaking, heard both queens come to her aide and be shot down by this despicable man...but she could say nothing. Because, what was there to say? He was right. She had killed her own flesh and blood and she had no way of arguing it. Not now while her mind was running a mile a minute. Before she knew it, there were hands seizing her arms to force her from that room. It was the first she had moved since Renaud came in, and she was struggling against them although she knew she shouldn't. She wanted to call for Aric, for Orin, but she couldn't. They couldn't do anything right now lest they make it worse...and that made her feel like the loneliest person in the world. It made her feel like a traitor, like the murderer she apparently was, and she feared she would not be seeing that room ever again. That she wouldn't be seeing any of them again. The desperation made her struggle more, managing to free herself for but a moment, but not to flee. She was too far from Eleesa or Aric to beg for their forgiveness now, so it was to Orin she ran, uncaring about all the eyes, all the accusations or questions because it wouldn't matter anymore. Not now. Her arms flung around his neck as her sobs completely shook her from the core; her face drawing back to look at him where she whispered swiftly, as if this was the only thing that mattered against her impending demise, "Don't forget me." The guards were yanking her away from him, practically carrying her from that room where her protests would finally begin to slowly stop.

[ARIC] No. God dammit, no! This wasn't happening. How could any of this get so much worse? His good hand was clenching into a fist now and he was struggling to keep himself together. Renaud was right. Cassandra had no ties to Aralore, therefore, as a Tresterian chancellor, he had the right to question her. And Aric could do nothing about it right now. Everything was hanging in the balance, he knew there was going to be a fight for regency and he wanted no one else but Eleesa on that throne. Not just for the sake of Tresteria, but for Aralore as well. But every muscle in his body tensed, knowing this was all a game. The chancellor was playing a very calculated game and he was not surprised that Edward had learned from the best. This. Was. Not. Good. He was taking a few steps after them as they ceased Cassandra, desperately wishing he could stop this but those men were not his. They were Tresterian, but their allegiance was clearly for the chancellor. "I swear to God, Renaud!" he called after the man. "If you touch one fucking hair on her head...!" His cousin was struggling to free herself. He saw the moment she contemplated running to him...but even she knew he was unable to do anything. He was helpless and his expression was terrified. But when she ran to Orin, embracing him, looking at him, he was stunned into further confusion. What the fuck was happening? He was suddenly feeling dizzy, stumbling back a few steps before the table stopped him from falling over. This was a dream. This was all just a dream. It had to be.

[ELEESA] Damn him. Damn him to Hell. Eleesa was devout, she was a good wife despite Edward making it such a difficult task. She had loved him, at least she loved him truly once before...before it all crumbled at her feet. Before his slow descend into what she could only say was madness. This was some sick, twisted game that Renaud was playing...and if they didn't play their cards right, they would lose. Eleesa was aware that this was a possibility should her husband ever pass before she did. She just didn't expect this to happen so soon. If anything, she had prayed it would have been many years later when her son was old enough to rule on his own. She would have endured her horrid marriage for longer if it meant the boy would reign. Now, she knew Renaud was vying for the council's approval, trying to find some hidden loophole in the king's death. To find evidence that only he could provide. A hand went to her head and she collapsed against the wall nearest her, and she was crying again. "I'm...I'm so sorry, Aric. You know this will not hold..." But why didn't she sound very sure? Why did she get this horrible feeling like Renaud was right? And why did she still want to fight for Cassandra if that were the case?

[ORIN] Was this really happening? He had checked out the scene, and it did not look like it could trace back to her. He was glaring at Charles the whole time Renaud spoke to his sister, trying to think of something. He could threaten to have his rank lowered...Or even lose his job. He fell asleep, or he was drunk. Something. He could corner him, make him admit that he lied for some stupid reason. He would figure something out. He had to. But when Renaud was calling in the Tresterian guards, Orin glanced at Cassandra with panic on his face. And he couldn't do a damn thing. His fists were clenched and he was clenching his jaw hard, watching as they were trying to drag her out of the room. He had taken a step forward, as if to go after them, to stop them. He would fight every last one of them and kill them to release her. But deep down, he knew he couldn't... It would only make matters so much worse. Then, Cassandra broke free and ran straight to him, throwing her arms around him. Instinctively, he embraced her, his heart pounding in his chest and he held her tightly. Her words nearly choked him, and he couldn't get his words out. What could he say? And before he could say anything, they were prying her from his grip and carrying her out. Orin didn't know what to do. He lowered his head, bringing a hand up to rub his forehead. He couldn't dare to look at anyone else in the room now, afraid to see the expressions on their faces. Had they suspected anything, or maybe he was just the closest person she could run to?

[ALEXANDRIA] She had tried to help, but it seemed to have done nothing. Hands still on her hips, her brows furrowed as Renaud spoke back to her, claiming he had every right to investigate anything and anyone regarding Tresteria. She desperately tried to think of something. Where had Cassandra been after the whole incident? Though how would she know? She couldn't know, unfortunately, and so Alexandria felt helpless, sighing quietly to herself in defeat. The Tresterian guards were called in and taking hold of Cassandra. Her eyes shot over to Aric as he yelled at the chancellor, threatening him if he harmed Cassandra. She lifted a hand to rub her face in disbelief, not knowing what else to do. How could so many things go wrong in such a short period of time? Ever since Edward arrived in Aralore, everything had gone to hell.
Cassandra broke free, and she almost wanted to call out to her, to convince her to go with them and cooperate, and they would figure something out to help her. But she ran straight to Orin, throwing her arms around him, and Orin returned the embrace, seemingly desperate to keep her against him, to keep her out of the guards' grasp. She too, look confused, her gaze shifting over to Aric, but she only saw the same confused expression she wore.
Eleesa was speaking then, crying as she collapsed against the wall. Alexandria went to her and crouched down next to her, taking her hand in her own. She wanted to somehow comfort her, to tell her it would be alright. But she didn't know how.

[ELEESA] It took her a moment to realize Alexandria was there, and when she did, she was clutching onto her tightly, looking her in the eyes. If it wasn't clear to the Aralorian queen before, it would be very clear now that she never thought ill of her, even after what happened at the reception. As Edward's wife, she knew of his antics and knew who's fault it truly was. Squeezing her hand tightly, her other went to the woman's arm affectionately. "I'm sorry. I'm sorry for everything that has happened." There she went again, apologizing for Edward even as he was gone. Suddenly, Eleesa feared for the Demarais line.

[ARIC] He feared for it, too. That man was worse than Edward and all of this was happening far too quickly. Fortunately, his wife went to console Eleesa as he tried to steady himself on that table. Why Cassandra? Why not himself or even Eleesa? They all technically had motive because Edward ruined all their lives in some way...but Cassandra? Something was very wrong. Something didn't add up. "He has nothing. This is a tactic," he said out loud, trying to console them as well as himself. "He's clawing at the dark. He's got nothing..." Please be the case. Finally able to stand up straight, he ran a hand down his face while he tried to clear his head before his eyes settled on Orin. He was staring at him for a long moment, unsure of what to even think about what he had just witnessed. Maybe that was a fortunate thing right now. Then he moved, but not to his brother-in-law, but to Charles where he gripped the young man by the collar of his shirt with his good hand. "Tell me right now...is she who you saw? Or did that bastard pressure you?" He was about to lose control again.

[ALEXANDRIA] She pulled Eleesa into an embrace and held her against her, placing a kiss to the top of her head. "Please don't apologize... It was not your fault at all," she whispered to her. "It is I who should be apologizing to you... I feel awful." Alexandria started crying again, somewhat relieved that Eleesa did not hold this all against her, but saddened that this woman had to suffer with not only her husband treating her this way, but now with his death, it will be a challenge for her and her family. "Please tell me if there is anything I can do to help... I am here for you. We all are..."
She heard Aric yelling, and only assumed it was either at Orin or Charles, and she couldn't deal with any type of confrontation right now, so she stayed with Eleesa, embracing her, and trying her best to console her.

[ORIN] He was stunned, unsure of what to do. Unsure of what to say. He could kill Charles for what he had just done, and it was taking everything for him to refrain from lashing out. But Aric was. He finally snapped out of his daze and looked to Charles, his eyes piercing so hard at the man before he moved closer on the other side of Charles and help Aric get to the bottom of this.

[CHARLES] He was about to turn away and slip out of the room-- afraid of what Orin or Aric would say to him. But Aric was suddenly gripping him by the collar, questioning him, and Orin on his other side. He was going to lose his life. Forget his job, he was going to lose his damned life. He stuttered nervously and looked to Aric. "I don't know!! I woke up and thought I saw something... someone but it was all a blur..." He didn't know what to say. Renaud had pressured him...Maybe even threatened him. So he was at a loss right now. He didn't know how to answer Aric.

[ORIN] He grabbed hold of Charles' wrist and twisted it back. "Your future king just asked you a question. Did that man pressure you into saying, or hinting that Cassandra had something to do with this?" He growled angrily.

[CHARLES] He yelled out as his wrist was twisted, and shouted out. "YES! Yes.... he pressured me! He questioned me and when I told him I had fallen asleep and woke up feeling like I saw something in the corner of my eye.. He took it and went running... But I really don't know for sure if I did see anything... I was half asleep... I felt strange.. Please let me go!”

[ELEESA] "Apologize?" she asked, those tear-filled brown eyes turning to look at Alexandria. "What in all of Elysium do you have to apologize for?" There was pure confusion on Eleesa's face. From what she knew, Alexandria had done absolutely nothing wrong. Lips parted to speak again, but the yelling on the other side of the room startled her. She withdrew from the queen to wipe the tears from her cheeks while she stood up, alarmed by the sight. "Enough!" she heard herself yelling. This was perhaps the first time she had ever risen her voice. She was on the verge of breaking down again, but this was getting out of hand. They were going to get nowhere this way. "Let him go!" On shaking legs, she marched right on over to the three and yanked Aric's hand from the poor boy's collar. "You are doing exactly what the chancellor had done. Enough!" Whoa, this was a different side of her, for certain. Perhaps the time was just that desperate. "We just...need to breathe. We need to think." They needed to bury her husband...which meant leaving for Tresteria. But that was going to come to a halt until Renaud decided to stop this charade.

[ARIC] Well, Orin wasn't going to stop him, because he seemed to be berating the poor guard along with him. It was Eleesa who saw reason and was pulling his hand away, and it was then that he finally took notice of her. As she berated them, he took a stumbling step back. Why couldn't he seem to think straight? He'd been struggling every since last night to get his thoughts together. "You know what he is like, Eleesa. That fucking, conniving snake..." He ran a hand down his face again, but it was doing nothing to clear his head. "He's trying to make a case, trying to get himself closer to that regency. You need to be there with your son. Not him, not anyone else." Not even him. He didn't want it.

[ALEXANDRIA] Despite her not asking for what Edward had done, she still somehow felt guilty for it. Like, maybe if she did not try to look nice for her wedding, he would not have suddenly become attracted to her. But she wasn't trying to impress him--she was trying to impress her husband to be. And Edward had no right to try and take that from his brother. But still, she was managing to feel guilty for something. Her lips parted to speak, but Eleesa was suddenly standing up and going to berate Aric and Orin, ordering them to leave Charles alone. She slowly stood back up, brushing the front of her dress before she stepped closer, moving to Aric's side and taking his good hand, and squeezing it gently, her other hand she placed on his arm, rubbing it gently. He needed to calm down, and she would try to urge him to do so.

[ORIN] He let go of Charles' wrist and stepped away, pacing slightly as he tried to think of some type of solution. He suddenly realized he was the only one in this room who knew the truth. Cassandra was guilty... And as badly as he wanted to tell them all, he didn't know if it was a good idea or not. So he stayed quiet, as Eleesa yelled at them, urging them to leave Charles alone and that they needed to breathe and think. He was breathing. He was thinking…

[ARIC] He drew in a deep breath when Alexandria came to his side, and he squeezed her hand in return. He knew he had stepped out of line, and he was looking to Charles in apology, "I'm...I'm sorry..." he stammered out, but that probably wasn't enough. "You said you felt strange? What do you mean?" There, that was a better start, even if he felt every nerve in his body was frayed and that he was about to lose his control. Could someone have set his cousin up...somehow? Who would even do such a thing?

[ELEESA] Breathing a sigh when the men let up on the poor guard, she began to slowly pace. As much as this put them in a very bad spot, she could tell that Charles was doing his job and telling the truth. He had seen someone, she believed, but whether it was all in his head or not was the question they needed an answer to. And Aric was already trying to figure that very thing out. Meanwhile, that soft gaze watched Orin who had fallen suddenly silent, wondering about that embrace. There had been a time where Cassandra had been her one and only close confidant, but the Duchess had fallen fairly silent since Eleesa arrived in Aralore, and she was trying not to assume…

[ALEXANDRIA] She did not let go of Aric's hand as he continued to question Charles, but more calmly. They needed to get to the bottom of this, and get Cassandra's name cleared. She could not imagine this would be true of her. She leaned against Aric, tiredly, unsure of what to say or do. Her eyes glanced to Orin, too, who seemingly had gone quiet since Cassandra embraced him. She silently wondered what that had been all about. But it wasn't important right now.

[CHARLES] He sighed in relief as Aric apologized and Orin let go of his wrist. "Yes... Like, I had fallen ill with something. I just felt overly tired... Drowsy... I don't know... Like I had been drinking and passed out... But I honestly don't remember drinking too much like that. I did have some wine at my table..."

[ORIN] He sighed, walking away from Charles and Aric and began pacing quietly. He couldn't take this. He wanted to go after them, find where they were taking Cassandra and pull her out of there. He knew nothing of this man--only Aric and Eleesa did, so he felt helpless, clueless of what to do. He did not know how this man worked, or if he truly had proof Cassandra had done this, or was somehow blaming her for some reason. Everything looked like it made sense that the king would have killed himself. Though if they somehow traced that vial of the Opium, that would be the only thing that could be held against her.

[ARIC] "You had wine?" He felt like he was about to get angry again, but he refrained. As Alexandria leaned against him, he was wrapping his arm around her, glad that she was there beside him even if she didn't know what to say or what else to do. She was keeping him sane...as sane as he possibly could be at this point. He looked concerned as Charles explained how he felt. "...like you were drugged?" he found himself asking with some concern. What if someone had drugged the guard to get to Edward?

[ELEESA] The more she was thinking about it, the more she was remembering her talk with Cassandra last night, the way she looked this morning...she was getting an uneasy feeling. A hand went to her stomach as so many thoughts began to fill her head, thoughts she didn't want to share...because what if this was true? And how did she feel about it? It was that horrible feeling again, that she should be mourning her husband, completely devastated over his loss. So then...why did she feel an ounce of relief? Fingers pressed to her lips to suppress another sob. "Aric..." she finally spoke up. "Your brother, he-" Eleesa paused, not sure why she hadn't mentioned this before, only to Cassandra last night. "I don't know...what happened, but for awhile...he had been slowly changing. Becoming different, insufferable. Last night was the worst it has been..." She couldn't stop her tears now, her hands shaking. "He may have been taking poppy juice for pain, or to calm his nerves." But she wasn't sure, she wasn't positive, and that was clear by the tone of her voice. And she wasn't sure whether or not he would keep any on his person. After a while, Edward had stopped telling her things.

[ALEXANDRIA] Her eyes narrowed at Charles as he admitted to drinking wine while guarding. What had gotten into her damn guards lately? She sighed and rested her head against Aric's back, feeling defeated. She just wanted this all to end. How much more would they be able to endure? They had nearly broken apart last night from everything. She took a deep breath and tried to steady herself. Eleesa was speaking about, Edward's sudden changing and becoming insufferable. She lifted her head slowly and looked over towards Eleesa, frowning slightly. "I do not know Edward well... But he was kind to me when I first met him. I could see a difference in him from then and now. .." Even Aric had said Edward had once been a decent man. What changed him?

[CHARLES] He sighed at Aric's question and mumbled. "Yes.... I'm sorry... It was helping me calm my nerves. I felt pressured to stand watch of a king..." Then Aric was asking another question. One that he wasn't sure of the answer, because he had never been drugged before. "I....don't know. I felt...drunk...Groggy... Tired..."

[ORIN] He wasn't sure where any of this was going to get any of them. Except, he had the truth...and he couldn't say a damn thing. He was about to lose control, and he was at so much of a loss for what to do. When Charles finished speaking, he shook his head. "May I be excused here?" He couldn't take being in this room anymore. Not after Cassandra was possibly in danger--and they all stood around here trying to decide what Charles claims he did.... Or wasn't sure he saw.

[ARIC] The point of all of this was, was to prove that Charles had been drugged, which could potentially prove that someone had ill intent and killed his brother. The only thing was, Aric was unaware that he was trying to condemn his own cousin even more. As Alexandria and Eleesa exchanged words about Edward, he felt that ache in his heart grow. His brother had never been overly kind, in hindsight, and he had always found himself within the arms of several mistresses...but everything else? Even witnessing the horrors, he couldn't believe that it had truly been him. There was something missing, and Charles wasn't going to be of any more help. As Orin requested he leave, dark eyes regarded him with a questioning furrow of his brows. There was something weird going on with him, too, but they had other things to worry about so he simply nodded and waved his hand in dismissal. He did the same to Charles and anyone else.

[ELEESA] There was definitely a missing piece here, and her thoughts were running almost parallel with all of them. What she had to do was speak with Cassandra herself, to possibly alleviate this dread floating at the pit of her stomach...but not yet. Her fingers were pressed against her mouth, trying desperately to calm her sobs that were beginning to become relentless. "I need to tell the boys..." And she wasn't even sure how to begin going about that. Moving to Alexandria and Aric, she took his hand. "We will figure this out. This is how these stupid political games go...but we will figure this out." Wiping her tears from her cheeks, although more just kept spilling down, she leaned up to press a kiss to her brother-in-law's cheek. Then, reaching over, she gave the queen's hand a reassuring squeeze. It was almost a silent thank you, for being so understanding...even after the horror she endured. Then Eleesa slowly made her way out, dreading what was about to come next.

[ORIN] As soon as Aric pardoned him, he was rushing out of the room. He didn't know where he was going, or what he would do--but he needed to get out of there--needed to think and figure out something. He needed to get Cassandra out of this. He didn't know how but he'd figure something out.

[ALEXANDRIA] She watched Orin as he excused himself and stepped out of the room in a hurry. What had gotten into him? What was that all about? Something seemed off. But her eyes turned to Eleesa and she offered her a warm, reassuring smile. "Please... Let me know...Do not hesitate, if you need anything at all..." She repeated, hoping the woman believed her that she would do whatever she could in her power, to help. After she left, she leaned into Aric again and placed a kiss on the back of his shoulder. Her eyes closed and she sighed. "...Aric... What do we do now?”

[ARIC] If Alexandria hadn't been there, he might have completely fallen to his knees in defeat. His eyes watered to see Eleesa leave, to know what she was about to do. Aric thought he had had the hard job of telling her and Cassandra...but Eleesa's job now was even harder. She'd have to tell her children that their father was gone and it absolutely broke his heart. His shoulders shrugged lightly because he was trying to breathe and hold back a sobbing breakdown. "...I don't know," he said, his voice barely audible. "If we're lucky...he'll find no proof, for anything." Then he was silent, an eerie thought passing through his mind that he would not have dared said while everyone else was here. "Do you...think she could have done it?" Once the words left his mouth, he couldn't believe himself, wanting to take them back immediately.

[ALEXANDRIA] Her throat was tightening at the thought of Eleesa having to tell those boys of their father's passing. It broke her heart and she wished there was something she could do. She had her arms around Aric and her head rested on his back, holding him tightly against her. Until he asked her if she thought Cassandra could have done it. Slowly, she moved around Aric to face him and took his hand. "I don't know... I don't know her well enough to pass any kind of judgement...Whether guilty or not... What do you think? Or feel?" She moved in closer to him and rested her head down on his chest. "...Orin, though.... Why do I get this strange sense that something was off with him?"

[ARIC] As if he didn't have enough guilt weighing him down...he went and thought that about a woman who, despite her faults, had always been there for him during his own. Yet, that was probably the very thing that made him wonder...made him think that, maybe, she took the risk. A dumb, horrible, maybe even unforgivable risk. One that he had almost done himself in his fury, and he had a fractured hand to prove it. His dark eyes glinted with tears when they looked down at Alexandria. There was just too much happening and he was finally beginning to collapse underneath it all. It was too much at once. He held her tightly against him, the only lifeline he had. "I don't know...when my answer should be no." If his cousin had committed this crime, he knew it would have been out of protection. It was the only logical reason for it...but a reason that wouldn't hold up in any court. He prayed he was overthinking this, that perhaps his mind was on overdrive and not thinking clearly at all. At the mention of her brother, he realized he'd almost forgotten about that. "I noticed that..." He noticed more than he wanted to admit now. "She just..." His arm made a gesture behind her back that she wouldn't see anyway. But he had no words. "I feel like we're missing something. With everything." Normally it would have been funny, but how could anything right now be humorous?

[ALEXANDRIA] When she saw the tears in Aric's eyes, it broke her heart. She touched his face and brushed her thumb against his cheek, her eyes focused on his as tears welled up in her own. "I feel....that if she did do it.... It was only to try to help?" She whispered as she leaned closely into him. She hated saying that. She did not want to believe that anyone had anything to do with this.
And then Cassandra's embrace with Orin... She knew that's what Aric was mentioning, though he had no words. "I know... Have things been going on behind our backs? We have been so.... busy with our own ordeals... With the attack from Saelis... Our wedding... Perhaps we have missed something..." She sighed quietly. "I don't know what to do, Aric... About anything. And who was that man? Renaud?"

[ARIC] If she wanted to help, that wasn't how to do it! He wanted to be furious, wanted to give into his fear of this all being true, but he didn't want to. Aric didn't want to believe his cousin was capable and already hated that part of him did. She had to be freed. He had taken that hand from his face to place a soft kiss to the middle of her palm, silently thanking her for simply being there. At her mention of something going on behind their backs, he didn't seem all too pleased about that. "Like what? What are you insinuating?" That was probably a stupid question, and one he probably wouldn't want an answer to. Cassandra may have only been his cousin, but she felt more like a sister to him. That, and she was a married woman. Why was he suddenly remembering something spoken during a drunken stupor? But Alexandria was drawing him from these thoughts, and he sneered at the mention of Renaud. "The chancellor of Tresteria...meaning he is a legal official as well as a head of the government. Edward trusted him, often left him in charge while he went away." Instead of his own brother, but that didn't matter anymore. "He's going to try for the regency...I just know it."

[ALEXANDRIA] Yes, if Cassandra had part of this, she probably had gone about this all wrong. She had stopped Aric from killing his brother, and she stopped Orin.... To prevent anything of this nature from happening. Something did not seem right about all of it, and she didn't know what to think anymore. Her eyes watched Aric as he placed a kiss to the palm of her hand in thanks, and she nodded to him, offering a very slight smile of reassurance. "I am here for you, my husband. And I always will be..."
She did not know what to think of her brother, or Cassandra... But she sensed something. And she would try to get to the bottom of it, when other issues were not so pressing.
Aric was explaining who Renaud is, and she felt her heart drop. Why did she feel that dealing with this man would be worse than dealing with Edward? What would this mean for the alliance? "And what would that mean if he succeeds?" he didn't want to know the answer to that. She was dreading asking it.

[ARIC] His head was spinning, and he was afraid. He could only imagine what Cassandra must be feeling and someone needed to go down there to make sure she was okay without pissing Renaud off. The Chancellor would certainly question her, and Aric prayed it was as simple as that. That this whole scene had been nothing but a charade to get his family riled up. Well, if it was, it worked. His good hand filtered into her hair before gently cupping the back of her head, drawing her closer as he rested his forehead to hers. "I know there's...much to discuss," he said quietly, his eyes closing. By his tone, she would know he meant about last night. "But I need you more than ever right now. I'm...I'm afraid of breaking down right now..." And he was desperately trying to hold himself together. But when Alexandria asked that particular question, he looked even worse. "I don't know," he whispered. Because he didn't. He might have said that Renaud would keep the alliance and all would be well, but he didn't know. The man could find if useless and sever it considering it had been signed by Edward's hand and not his. Aric wanted to say that he may be a good regent and teach little Edward well...but then he could also corrupt him and mold the king to his liking. "But I may have to ensure he does not get that far." The question was: how?

[ALEXANDRIA] Tired eyes searched Aric's as he pulled her closer and leaned his forehead against hers. But he was soon closing those dark eyes from her gaze, and she followed suit, breathing in his scent as she took a deep breath. Though she never would have imagined the words that Aric was about to admit. Her eyes reopened and she looked at him with concern. "Oh Aric..." She whispered softly, her own hands coming to both sides of his face, urging him to open his eyes to look at her. "I'm here, Aric... I'm scared, but I'm here. And I'm not going anywhere, I promise. Please don't give up. We will get through this... Tell me what I can do." She did not know how she could keep Aric from breaking down. He was stronger than she was...and if he lost himself, she didn't know what she would do. He had become her foundation, her own strength. She wrapped her arms around him tightly and held him against her, her fingers ran lightly through his hair. "I love you, Aric... We will get through this... We will find a way." She tried her best to console him, even though her own body was trembling against his. Why did it feel like everything was about to come crashing down?

[ARIC] He couldn't get his thoughts under control, and that was the biggest problem. If he could just breathe and take a moment, deal with one thing at a time, maybe he could start figuring things out. He had to calm down... Alexandria was doing well to help with that, and may have fully succeeded were it not for the numerous amount of things happening all at once. But he sighed softly, thankful for her presence and how much she was trying to keep him grounded. Aric held onto her, embracing her as he leaned down to bury his face into her neck. "I know," she'd hear his muffled reply. "I know we will." He had to believe it. Drawing back a little from that hug, he pressed a soft kiss to her lips, his hand caressing the side of her face. "I love you," he said sternly, emotionally, as if he had to assure her all over again. Aric knew he didn't have to, but that didn't mean he wouldn't keep doing it. "I need to meet with the healer, and...see my brother." After all this time, he realized he hadn't gone to see the body and he was dreading it for so many reasons. "If there is a way you can at least check in on Cassandra?" She was queen of this castle, she would be allowed down there. If Renaud heard Aric went down, it might cause some issue. "I just...need to know she's alright." And it would be one less thing he could worry just a little less about.

[ALEXANDRIA] She honestly did not know if everything was going to be alright. But she needed to believe that it would be. Because it simply had to. Her eyes fell shut as Aric kissed her, her hands coming to his face as she kissed him back. He was assuring her that he loved her, and she could tell how much he meant it in that moment- the tone of his voice, the way he was looking at her.
She nodded in response, never moving her eyes from his. "I will go see her, of course." She leaned into him and pressed another kiss to his lips, deeper and more affectionate. Despite last night, she loved him with every breath in her body. He was her life now. Her everything. When she drew away from the kiss, she looked back to him, rubbing his cheek gently. "Please be careful..."

[ARIC] He should probably meet with Eleesa again...once she's had time to console the boys. She was fretting about what was going to happen next, and although he had no idea how make it any easier, he wanted her to know that he was going to help in whatever way he could. Logically, he should claim the regency. He'd have a bigger claim than Renaud, but that wasn't an option he wanted to pursue. It would take him away from Aralore...away from Alexandria. He couldn't do it, and it was probably selfish. No, that had to be a very last resort, and something he wasn't keen on telling his wife right now. Not unless he had to think about it again. Right now, there were other options. Better options. He kissed her back, almost hesitant to leave her side but this time he truly had to. She'd be doing him a favor and easing his mind to check on his cousin while he checked up on the rest of the family. "Thank you," he told her, placing a kiss to her forehead simply because. "And you be careful as well." Renaud would hear about the queen's visit to the dungeons for certain, but there would be little he could do...especially if he was looking to keep this clean and respectful. "I'll meet up with you soon, alright?" Drawing in a deep breath, kissing her on the lips quickly one more time, he forced himself away and leave the room. His hands still shaking.